Discussion sparks over Indigenous autonomy in South Dakota triggered by establishment of Navajoland diocese
In a significant move, the Niobrara Convocation, an annual Indigenous gathering in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, has voted to begin researching the possibility of forming an independent diocese for Indigenous Episcopalians in the state. This decision follows a proposal drafted by Warren Hawk, the outgoing Niobrara itancan, or convocation chair, who raised the idea with Bishop Jonathan Folts during a meeting of the Executive Council.
The exploratory committee will have two members from each of the diocese's eight mission areas serving Native American reservations in the state. Bishop Folts has encouraged Niobrara attendees to engage with the idea and start open conversation and dialogue about forming a new diocese.
The conversations about forming a new diocese for Indigenous Episcopalians in South Dakota are expected to spark renewed interest in planning for The Episcopal Church's future in South Dakota's Indigenous communities. The goal is to achieve greater self-determination, including the calling of their own bishop, similar to the Missionary Diocese of Navajoland.
The Niobrara Convocation, also known as the Niobrara Deanery, consists of more than 50 Indigenous congregations spread across eight mission areas in South Dakota: Cheyenne River, Mni Sose, Pine Ridge, Rosebud East, Rosebud West, Santee Yankton, Sisseton, and Standing Rock. The Missionary Diocese of Navajoland includes congregations in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah that were formerly part of a mission area created by The Episcopal Church in 1977.
The Executive Council of The Episcopal Church recently voted to accept the constitution for the Missionary Diocese of Navajoland. The Episcopal Church's 81st General Convention authorized Navajoland to form a missionary diocese in 2024, and its creation was finalized last month by the Executive Council's vote.
However, the potential challenges to elevating Niobrara to a missionary diocese include canonical requirements, administrative structure, financial viability, clergy deployment, accommodating members outside South Dakota, and the need for a large majority of both Niobrara congregations and those remaining in the South Dakota diocese to approve the separation.
The first step, approved at the Niobrara Convocation, was "just to take a look at it." If the research and discernment process eventually produces a formal proposal to separate Niobrara from the Diocese of South Dakota, it would likely need the approval of a large majority of both the Niobrara congregations and those remaining in the South Dakota diocese.
For more information, please contact David Paulsen, a senior reporter and editor for the website, who can be reached at the reporter's email.
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